Tracie Peterson (2 page)

Chapter 2

D
aughtry remained silent on the ride into town. The growing community of Bandelero was overflowing with people due to the fair, and Daughtry tried to put her feelings behind her and smile. At least she was away from the ranch and she was wearing something pretty.

She glanced down at the lavender dress she’d helped to make. It had a pleated bodice with hand embroidery and lace to edge the scooped neckline. At the waist, a darker lavender ribbon trimmed the gown and tied in the back to show off her very feminine form. Outlandishly gaudy hats were the rage these days, but Maggie and Daughtry had found little use for them on the ranch. Instead, they had ordered less complicated arrangements from Sears and Roebuck. Her mother predicted the simplicity would do more to turn heads, and, when it did, Daughtry could only hope that her father wouldn’t be anywhere nearby.

As Garrett brought the carriage to a halt outside of a two-story adobe house, a sudden ruckus caused the horses to rear and prance. Everybody waited for the smelly, noisy automobile to pass by before even trying to dismount.

“Useless things!” Garrett declared, finally settling the horses. “You won’t ever see me in one. I’ll stick with horses.”

“I think they look like fun,” Dolan said from the back of his horse. “I hear they actually have races with those things. They go for days and days, and people even get killed.”

“How awful!” Maggie exclaimed, taking her husband’s hand as she exit
ed the carriage.

Daughtry stared past her brothers to the street where the car was rapidly disappearing. She silently wished that she could be one of the happy passengers.

“Daughtry, you daydreamin’ up there?”

Daughtry looked down at her father and smiled.
If he only knew,
she thought. As she stepped from the carriage, however, they were bombarded with friends, and she was distracted from her thoughts.

“Garrett! Maggie! I’m so glad to see you all,” Lillie Monroe called from behind a swirl of people.

“Where’s Dan?” Garrett asked, while Maggie embraced her lifelong
friend.

“Had to set a broken arm,” Lillie said with a shrug. “That’s all part of being married to the town doctor. You always have to share him. I’ll be glad when he takes a partner.”

Lillie’s sons, John and James, joined them and soon were catching up the Lucas boys on all the news. Sixteen-year-old Angeline Monroe was nowhere to be seen, much to Daughtry’s relief. Angeline only reminded Daughtry how old and outdated she’d rapidly become under Garrett’s overprotective hand. Angeline was young and just beginning to live, while Daughtry felt her life was over.

“The fair is going to be a great deal of fun,” Lillie was saying, while Garrett and Maggie kept stride with her. Daughtry took advantage of the moment to slip out of sight and wander around town alone. Heaving a great sigh, she rounded the corner and ran smack into the broad chest of a stranger.

“Excuse me,” she said, looking upward into soft brown eyes.

“I’m afraid the fault is mine,” the man returned. “I just came to town for the fair and I don’t know my way around.”

Daughtry laughed. “It’s not all that difficult, believe me.”

The man smiled appreciatively. “Maybe you could show me.”

“I’m not sure that would be proper,” Daughtry said, glancing around for her father or brothers. “I don’t even know you.”

“Bill,” he replied and extended his hand. “Bill Davis.”

“Daughtry Lucas,” she replied and extended her small gloved hand to take his.

“There,” he said confidently, “now we’re no longer strangers. Would you do me the honor of introducing me to your fair city?”

Daughtry laughed, glad to be free for once. “Of course.”

The rest of the day passed much too quickly for Daughtry. She ran into Jordy once, but he seemed unconcerned that his sister was on the arm of some stranger. Later, Daughtry narrowly avoided a confrontation with Gavin, when she and Bill happened into a knot of people who stood laughing and talking, blocking the street. As the crowd thinned a bit for them to pass by, Daughtry found Angeline Monroe to be the focal point of the group. Laughing and enjoying the attention, Angeline didn’t so much as nod when she caught Daughtry’s eye.

“Do you know her?” Bill questioned after they’d managed to slip past the gathering.

“Yes,” Daughtry replied, hoping Bill wasn’t going to ask to be introduced.

“She seems awfully young to be flirting with so many men. You ought to have a talk with her folks,” Bill said, surprising Daughtry with his words.

“People have been trying to tell her folks for years,” Daughtry laughed. “But she’s very spoiled.”

“Unlike you,” Bill said, his sincerity clear in his voice. Daughtry blushed furiously but said nothing as she kept walking.

With Angeline just a memory, Daughtry cast sly upward glances at the sandy-haired man who walked beside her. He was as tall as her father, and the width of his shoulders was also nearly the same. He was dressed in jeans and a light brown shirt, but it all seemed rather regal to Daughtry. Perhaps Bill was her Prince Charming, and he would whisk her away from the stifling life she’d known.

“So how come a pretty thing like you hasn’t up and married?” Bill asked her while they walked the festive avenue of carnival games.

“Truth? Or would you rather hear some fabulously devised story?”
Daughtry asked, completely serious.

Bill studied her for a moment and laughed. “Truth.”

“It won’t appeal to you,” she said, glancing around her for the millionth time.

“You looking for someone?” Bill asked her softly. “I mean, ever since this morning, you’ve been looking over your shoulder and down the street. What’s the problem?”

Daughtry sighed. “The same reason I’ve never married. I have a very possessive father—and five brothers who feel it’s their duty to fill in for him when he can’t be there to do the job.”

“I see,” Bill said, and Daughtry thought he sounded a little nervous. “Are they the killing kind or just the wounding and maiming type?”

Daughtry laughed out loud, catching the attention of several people around them. Stifling her amusement, she waited until they’d walked away from the listening crowd. “I’ve only known them to be the ranting and raving kind, actually.”

Bill grinned. “Ah, that won’t bother me then. My ears can tolerate the hollering.”

“Don’t be so sure.” Daughtry glanced at the railroad depot clock and sighed. “I’d better get back. I’ve been gone way too long.”

“I’ll walk you,” Bill said and tucked her arm around his.

Daughtry wanted to tell him no, but the truth was, she was enjoying herself too much. Maybe God had decided to smile down on her and allow her to meet a respectable young man after all.

“Daughtry, I’ve been looking for you.” Her father blocked their path, and behind him stood three of her brothers.

Garrett was frowning fiercely at Bill, and the scowl was so intimidating that the younger man immediately dropped his hold on Daughtry.

“I’ve just been seeing the sights and enjoying the fair,” Daughtry said, trying to control her temper. Then, hoping she could smooth matters, Daughtry turned to introduce her friend. “This is Bill Davis. Bill, this is my father, Garrett Lucas, and my brothers, Gavin, Dolan, and Joseph.”

Garrett was barely controlling his temper as he reached out and yanked Daughtry by the arm. “Evening, Mr. Davis. You’ll have to excuse us now.”

Daughtry was livid. Garrett continued pulling her down the street, while her brothers firmly discouraged Bill from trying to interfere.

When they were back in the solitude of the Monroe backyard, Daughtry dug her heels in and stopped.

“How dare you!” she exclaimed, and the hurt in her eyes changed quickly into rage. “I can’t believe you would embarrass me like that.”

Garrett looked at her for a moment. “Daughtry, I was only looking out for your best interest. You don’t know that man, and he had no right to be handling you.”

Daughtry shook her head. “Enough is enough. I’ve had all I’m going to take. You may be my father, but I’m of age and old enough to make my own choices. Good night!”

Garrett called after her, but Daughtry ran into the house without so much as a glance over her shoulder. She knew they were spending the night with the Monroes, but she had no idea where she was to sleep. Gratefully, she ran into her mother.

Tears were blinding her eyes, but Daughtry didn’t want to talk about it. “Mother, where am I supposed to sleep?”

Maggie noted her daughter’s state of mind. “Daughtry, what’s wrong?”

“The same old thing. Now, I just want to go to bed. Where am I sleeping?”

Maggie led her daughter to the small room she was to share with Angeline. “I’m sorry, Daughtry. I don’t know what has happened, but I hate the fact that it’s hurt you so much.” She reached out and hugged her daughter close.

Daughtry wrapped her arms around her mother and sobbed. “I can’t stand it anymore, Mother. I love you all so much, but I have to be allowed to grow up.” She abruptly released her mother and turned away. “I just want to go to sleep now, please.”

Daughtry knew that she hurt her mother when she shut her out, but she could see no sense in discussing the matter any further. Silently, she undressed and slipped into bed for a good cry before going to sleep.

❧

Morning light dawned, and Daughtry woke with a new determination and outlook on her life. During the night, after hours of praying and pleading with God, she’d decidedto run away from home. At least that’s what she called it, though she doubted that someone could actually run away at her age.Angeline still slept peacefully, and because Daughtry knew the girl had come to bed quite late, she tiptoed around the room collecting her things. After dressing and pinning up her hair, Daughtry made her way downstairs.

“Morning, Daughtry,” Lillie called to her from the kitchen. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yes, thank you.” Daughtry struggled to sound pleasant.

“Are you hungry? I’ve fixed enough food for a small army. Of course with your brothers and James and John, it very nearly resembles just that.”

Daughtry smiled. “Are Pastor David and Jenny coming over this morning?” Daughtry questioned, referring to Dr. Monroe’s brother and his wife. “I was hoping to talk to them before we left for home.”

“I think they plan to stop by,” Lillie responded. “Did you not get a chance to see them last night?”

“No,” Daughtry replied. “I didn’t.”

“Did you need to talk to them about anything in particular?”

“Yes,” Daughtry murmured, “but it’s rather, well, personal.” She thought maybe David or Jenny could offer some help or suggestions on where she could go.

Lillie smiled and nodded. “That’s quite all right, I understand.”

Within moments, the quiet talk was forgotten as the room filled with the bodies of young men all rivaling the other for the center of discussion.

Daughtry managed to slip outside with her plate of food. She ate with a ravenous appetite, suddenly remembering that she hadn’t had any supper the night before.

“I brought you a peace offering,” Garrett said, coming up behind her. Daughtry looked up but said nothing. Garrett held out a newspaper. “I knew you’d want to catch up on what was happening around the world. I managed to latch onto this copy of the
Denver Post.
”

Daughtry took the newspaper from her father. He was trying so hard to make up for his behavior, and even though she had no intention of changing her mind about leaving, Daughtry couldn’t treat him badly.

“Thank you, Daddy,” she said softly and glanced briefly at the headlines.

“I really am sorry,” Garrett said.

“I know,” Daughtry replied.
You always are.

Seeing that she wasn’t in a mood to talk, Garrett left Daughtry to finish her breakfast alone. Daughtry knew that he wanted her to laugh and think nothing more about the events of the previous night, but that wasn’t possible for her.

Flipping through the pages of the paper, Daughtry came across an advertisement. It was like no other she’d ever seen. This was an advertisement for a wife. Quickly scanning the lines, Daughtry read:

Wife wanted to share the dream of building a ranching empire. Looking for a hard-working woman who isn’t afraid to love and live with a man who will provide a home and remain forever yours in the eyes of God and man.

It was signed N. Dawson, with an address in care of the post office in a small town in eastern New Mexico.

How romantic,
Daughtry thought as she reread the ad. The days of mail-order brides were a thing of the past but, from time to time, people did still seek a mate through that unconventional manner.

Daughtry began to get an idea. A very serious idea about answering the advertisement. She folded the paper and stared at it for several minutes.
It could work,
she thought to herself. It could be everything she’d prayed for.

Back at Piñon Canyon, Daughtry penned a response to the man she could only address as Mr. Dawson. She wondered as she wrote what his first name might be. She imagined Nicodemus or Nathaniel—maybe even Navin or Ned, although those names didn’t appeal to her sense of romance.

She stared at the blank paper for several minutes, then began to pour out her thoughts.

Dear Mr. Dawson,

I am responding to your advertisement and would very much like to receive more information about the marriage and dream you propose. I have grown up on a ranch and thus have spent my entire life working at the same dream you seem to have. I would be happy to correspond with you regarding the matter. Please address your reply in care of the Bandelero, New Mexico, Post Office.

Daughtry Lucas

Almost as an afterthought, Daughtry picked up her pen again and added a postscript indicating that she had enclosed a picture of herself. Then, scouting through her desk drawer, she managed to find one that had been taken recently at a church picnic. She thought the photo did her justice.